cleon

Curious what others are using for Handlebar widths, cuz I don't think I can put bar ends on without cramping my hands based on where I hold the bar.

I'm on a 65cm bar and measure 44cm across the shoulders. How about you guys? Bar width vs shoulder width measurements...

dminor 

Bars: 745mm; shoulders 42(?)cm

scyclops

685mm bars, never did have a reason to measure my shoulder width (and... still don't).

JiveTurkey

~42cm shoulders (same for road bars). 58cm MTB bars, using grips with built-in bar-ends (Ergon GC2).

I bet you'll be able to get used to the slightly different hand position caused from adding bar-ends.

cleon

Ooo...I like that idea of using integrated grips...cheaper and easier. How do you like the Ergons?

scrublover

745mm on three bikes, no clue on my shoulders, no bar ends.

3speed

I've kinda wondered about bar ends and handlebar width myself. I'm curious about some of the smaller bar ends out these days(as oppose to the big pipe things that came on my bike in 1998). Thanks for starting this thread.
I've thought about trying those exact grips. I currently use GP1s and definitely like them. If you've tried Ergon grips without bar ends, how would you compare them with the bar end grips? Ever hit/catch them on trees? I've knocked my bars on a tree or two in tight spots before and I'd hate for that to result in a crash with the bar ends. That's the thing that makes me hesitate with buying Ergon bar end grips.

dminor 

What are bar ends?

cleon

Main issue I have really is that I'm pretty sure my bars are too short. I really like bar ends when I climb as I find my hands are always looking for them, but until I get a wider bar on, even with integrated grips I think I'll run too short.

jwood72

I run 75cm bars. I have pretty wide shoulders, Never measured them but my shoulders are wider than 99% of people I ride with.

scyclops

I think that's when they say "last call for alcohol", turn the house lights on and tell you to get the eff out.

pablosnazzy

711mm bars. i don't know my shoulder width, but i'm a small man, or a large child, depending on perspective.

cryptid01

They're those things you hang your plastic shopping bags on.

dminor 

Ohhh . . . OK. Well answer me this, then: I stood at the freeway entrance with my sign all day - - "Will do photoshop gags for WiFi" - - and did not get any takers. How come? I'm thinking it was my choice of sans serif but am not sure.

cleon

So are they officially out of vogue these days? I love having alternate hand positions on long climbs. I'm surprised they are out of favor. Really is more comfortable on occasion.

jwood72

They may be more comfortable climbing, but if you live in areas with tight, wooded (esat coast) single track, you will get your bar ends snagged on branches and limbs. Having had that happen, I can see why most people don't run bar ends.

cleon

I could see that being an issue. Luckily it's not a concern at all here.

rat fink

Use Comic Sans and you will get more takers from the 50+ crowd.

rat fink

If that's case, enjoy your bar ends.

To answer the original question, I don't know my shoulder size, but it's probably about the same as my road bar width, which is 42cm. I use a 71cm bar and am a firm believer that road ≠ mtn when it comes to setup needs. You'd be better off erring on the long side than the short side of bar length, and you may need a shorter stem as well. BUT, it really depends on the kind of riding you want to do.

cleon

Agree on all counts. I changed my road bars from 41 (stock) to 44 and really was more comfortable. My mtn bars seem to be shorter than average while my shoulders are probably slightly larger than average, and the fact that I'm naturally always creeping to the ends is what made me wonder about this. Regardless of bar ends, I think I'm going to try wider mtn bars.

Some rules of thumb I found while Googling,

Rule of thumb for mountain bike handlebar width: Position the grips so the inside edge of each hand (where the index finger and thumb encircle the grip) lines up just outside the crease of the armpits. While holding the grips in a position where you can comfortably work both the shifters and the brakes, with shoulders and upper arms relaxed, the forearms should aim straight forward.

another rule of thumb from BikeRadar,

The general consensus is that the most efficient compromise between comfort, control, leverage and confidence is 4-6in (10-15cm) wider than your shoulders. Some riders might prefer more width for more leverage, some might prefer less because their wrists or shoulders hurt on wider bars. Try a few and pick your favourite.

LesterOfPuppets

Yep, I'm afraid barends have been officially not cool since at least 1999.

I like bars with barends to be 3 cm wider to make room.

63 cm with barends
60 cm without. Once cut to 60 they're useless with barends.
42 cm on my road bikes.

Never measured shoulders I just know what I like the most

cleon

Good info. Thanks!

jwood72

I find that on my mountain bikes, I like super wide bars. On my Road bikes, I like shoulder width bars to slightly wider. In the end,(I am sure it's already been said) it is what feels good to you. and it is always easier to cut wider bars down than it is to stretch narrow bars out.

kenhill3

I cut my bars 3 times and they're still too short.

dminor 

^^ There was your mistake: it's "measure once, cut twice."

err - - or was that "measure twice, add one, cut half?" . . . or "a bar in the hand is worth two in the gut?" Oh, I give up.